Meeting Mr. & Mrs. Dumbledore

[ginger newts]

Okay, so I really shouldn't have started a new fic, but this challenge appealed to me for some reason. Thanks, zerowolfgirl, for the idea. It's a bit long but mostly fluffy so I'm putting it here.

Meeting Mr. & Mrs. Dumbledore

Minerva McGonagall was bent over her desk, carefully rechecking the timetables for next year’s lessons when Albus Dumbledore entered her office and called her name.

Without looking up, Minerva answered with a simple, “Mmm?”

Albus stepped closer, “My parents are celebrating their 150th anniversary this Saturday so I’m planning to spend a long weekend at their house.” He paused nervously, “Would you accompany me, my dear?”

She finally looked up, “Of course, Albus. I know we’ve only been dating a short while, but I would love to meet your parents. Do you think they’ll approve of me?” She smiled.

“I think they’ll love you,” Albus replied, chuckling. “Can you be ready to leave tomorrow just before lunch? We’ll return Sunday after dinner.”

“Shall I meet you in your office?”

“No, meet me in the Entrance Hall. I’d like to apparate so you can see the grounds.”

“I’ll be there.” Minerva turned back to the stack of parchment on her desk.

Albus frowned and cleared his throat, “No kiss then, my dear?”

Minerva turned back to him with a small smile, standing she apologized, “I’m sorry, Albus.” She kissed him lightly, “Happy?”

“Not quite,” he grinned wickedly and leaned back in for a much more passionate kiss.

Minerva packed that night, taking much care in choosing just the right robes to wear in front of Albus’ parents. She wanted to make a good impression. Not sure if the anniversary celebration itself would be formal or not, she decided to include a set of dress robes just in case. Then she came to the tricky job of selecting night wear. Minerva assumed they would have separate rooms, but felt there was a good chance of Albus seeing her in her pajamas if they were staying in a smaller home. She also didn’t want his parents to think she was anything less than honorable. Going through her entire selection of nightgowns, Minerva finally settled on one she didn’t wear very often but thought was attractive. It wasn’t any more revealing than anything she would wear during term time, but was of a lighter more summery material.

She had a hard time falling asleep that night, wondering what Albus’ parents were like and whether they would like her. Minerva wasn’t even sure if they knew about her and her relationship with Albus. After they had dropped Harry Potter off with his family last fall something seemed to change between them. It was as if now that the danger was gone they could be more open with each other and Minerva found herself trying to show Albus in subtle ways the feelings she had harbored for him for more years than she liked to admit. It had come as somewhat of a shock when he asked her to a private dinner in Hogsmeade one night and admitted that he would like to get to know her on a more intimate level than friendship. Since that night, they had found ways to spend more private evenings alone and though neither had said “I love you” or even made a formal declaration that they were seeing each other exclusively, they both knew what this was. Eventually, they had begun referring to their evenings together as dates and for the last several weeks most of them had ended with quite heated snogging sessions. Everything had been fairly casual up until now and Minerva was more than a little nervous about what meeting his parents meant for them.

Dressing carefully the next morning, Minerva took her tartan carpet bag and made sure to be early for meeting Albus in the Entrance Hall. Much to her dismay, he was already there, having anticipated her early arrival and not wanting to leave her waiting.

“I’m sorry if I made you wait,” she said walking down the stairs.

“Not at all, my dear,” Albus said as he reached out to take her bag from her. “I’ve only just arrived. Shall we go then.”

Minerva nodded and Albus gave her the location of his parents’ home as they walked to the gates together. A moment later they had landed in front of a lovely country cottage with roses growing under the front windows and ivy climbing the bricks. In the distance behind the house she could see green rolling hills and it looked as if the Dumbledore property extended quite far, there was a stable several acres away that appeared long unused and off to the left what appeared to be a small orchard.

“It’s lovely,” Minerva said as they walked the short path to the front door.

Albus nodded, “It was their summer home until just a few years ago when they decided to move here permanently. My brother and I grew up in a much larger house in London, I believe the home is now mine but I have never used it.”

“That’s a shame, Albus, I’m sure it’s a lovely home.”

“It is, I just have very little need of a home beyond Hogwarts. Perhaps I’ll take you there someday.”

“That would be wonderful,” Minerva answered, wondering in what capacity he would be taking her. As they approached the front door, something occurred to her, “Albus, if this is your parents 150th anniversary they must have been very young when you were born.”

He turned and looked at her, “I suppose they were, but not for the times. I believe mother was 16 when they married and my father was several years older. I was born only days before their tenth anniversary.”

Minerva had forgotten how long ago that would have been and how different things were then, “You’re right, for the times that is not so young.”

They had reached the front door by this point and before Albus could set down their bags and knock the door was thrown open by a woman slightly shorter than Minerva with long white hair and light blue eyes. They were Albus’ eyes so Minerva assumed this was his mother.

“My dear boy,” the woman exclaimed, pulling Albus into a tight hug.

“Hello, mother,” he managed to say, although he sounded as if the air was quickly being squashed out of his lungs.

“And who is your lovely companion?” she asked turning to Minerva with bright eyes.

“Mother, this is Minerva McGonagall. Minerva, this is my mother, Victoria Dumbledore,” Albus introduced them.

“Mrs. Dumbledore,” Minerva said politely, holding out her hand.

Victoria looked at Minerva’s outstretched hand and smiling said, “Nonsense, it’s Victoria. And welcome to our home, Minerva.” Then she hugged Minerva, taking the younger witch completely by surprise.

“Everyone else is here already, we were about to give up on you,” Victoria said with a note of mock scolding in her voice as she herded them inside and toward the sitting room.

Minerva was surprised to see a rather large group of people assembled there. She had always known Albus had a younger brother, but didn’t know much else about his family. It seemed Aberforth had married when he was younger and had three children, they were all in attendance with spouses and children of their own. She was quickly introduced to many people whose names she knew she would never remember, it turned out that some of them were Victoria and Edward’s brothers and sisters, who had also brought their children and grandchildren. Minerva was beginning to wonder how so many people could stay at the house when someone, was it Edward’s brother, explained that they all lived in town. Only Albus, Minerva, and Aberforth’s family would be staying here. As the introductions were ending a tall man with long white hair and a beard very much like Albus’ entered the room with several trays of food and drink floating behind him.

[ginger newts]

“Son!” he exclaimed when he saw Albus.

“Hello, father,” Albus greeted him with a hearty handshake. “I’d like you to meet Minerva McGonagall. Minerva, this is my father Edward.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Dumbledore,” Minerva said shaking his hand.

“It’s Edward, Mr. Dumbledore was my father,” he said jovially. “So, this is the Miss McGonagall we’ve heard so much about for the last twenty years.”

Albus coughed at his father’s last remark and Minerva was barely able to keep herself from blushing, she turned to Albus and raised an eyebrow, almost smirking at him. So, he had talked about her with his family. They all enjoyed a wonderful lunch, during which Minerva had the chance to talk to some of Albus’ family members. She thought they were all very kind and most of the Dumbledore men were quite charming, it was easy to see where Albus got both his looks and his personality by looking over this room full of people. When everything had been cleared away, Victoria rose to show Albus and Minerva where they would be staying. Albus took their bags and they climbed the stairs behind his mother. She stopped in front of a door and opened it with a small flourish to reveal a lovely room with cherry wood furniture and egg shell white walls, the bedspread was in Gryffindor red and the pillowcases were gold, fresh flowers stood in a bowl on top of the wardrobe and there was a small desk under one window. Minerva thought it was perfect. Victoria stood by expectantly, waiting for them to enter.

Albus looked nervously between his mother and Minerva and asked slowly, “Mother, which of us is staying here?”

Victoria quickly hid her surprise and then looked between the two of them with amusement, “Oh! I just assumed... Well if you don’t wish to share a room I’m sure arrangements can be made.” She thought for a few moments and said slowly, “All of the other rooms are full, but I suppose we could move some of the children...”

Minerva stepped in, “No, I don’t want to put anyone out of a room. Albus,” she turned to him, “surely we are mature enough to share a room for two nights.”

Albus smiled and agreed. He walked into the rooms with Minerva close behind so that they could unpack and Victoria drifted away smiling to herself. Her son had been speaking about Minerva in glowing terms ever since she had joined the Hogwarts staff and Victoria and Edward had been overjoyed to learn that the two were exploring a romantic relationship. She had on some level assumed that people of their ages might be enjoying a more intimate relationship, but given her son’s reluctance to begin anything with a woman he had so obviously adored for so long she was not surprised to learn they had not. Going back downstairs to join the rest of her family, she thought maybe that would change this weekend.

Albus and Minerva walked nervously into the room they would be sharing and, setting their bags down on the bed, began to unpack. Several times they almost bumped into each other moving in opposite directions and both blushed and mumbled an apology. Each was secretly delighted that they would be sharing a bed, but were nervous as well and unsure of the other’s feelings about it. When Minerva reached the bottom of her bag, she was wondering how to get her underwear and pajamas into a drawer without Albus noticing and looked up just in time to see him unpacking his own under clothes. He gave her a half smile and moved to put them in a drawer and Minerva followed suit, trying but not succeeding to stop herself from blushing furiously. When they had finished, they quietly went back downstairs to join the others.

By the time they got there, everyone had gone save Albus’ parents. They soon learned that Edward’s brother and his family had taken everyone back to their home to see their new horses. Victoria prepared tea and the four of them sat down at the kitchen table to get to know each other better. The Dumbledores asked Minerva many questions, about her childhood and her work, how she liked the school, and then they began to not so subtly interrogate the couple about their relationship. After all of the questions had been answered, Edward said that he wanted to show Albus something in the back garden and the men excused themselves. Minerva and Victoria moved to the sitting room and Minerva was amazed at the ease with which she was able to converse with the older woman, like they had known each other for years. They discussed many subjects including literature, chess, Transfiguration, their mutual fondness for roses of any color other than red, and Albus. Before she had time to realize how long they had been talking, Edward and Albus re-entered and Edward informed them all that it was time to head to his sister’s for dinner.

Albus and Minerva walked arm in arm, a few paces behind his parents, down the quiet country lanes until they reached his aunts house.

“What were you and my mother discussing so intently,” he asked, blue eyes twinkling.

Minerva smiled, “Oh this and that. I really like your mother, she’s wonderful.”

“I’m so glad and I believe she likes you too, my dear.”

Albus was indeed pleased that his mother and Minerva seemed to have taken such an immediate liking to each other, but then he had expected them too, they had much in common. When he had been out walking with his father, Edward had questioned him much more deeply about Minerva and had admitted that he and Victoria had been very pleased to hear about their relationship. Edward had also admitted his own surprise upon finding out that Minerva was so much younger than Albus, but having been fifteen years older than his own wife he tried to understand. If she made his son happy then he didn’t care if she was 100 years younger, he said. Albus had laughed and informed his father that 80 years was quite enough difference, but that it just didn’t matter to them no matter what the rest of the world thought. Albus had caught an extra twinkle in his father’s eyes and upon asking what he was thinking, he was informed that he had selected a very beautiful woman and that on second thought her age seemed more of a bonus. He had been somewhat surprised to hear his father say that, but knowing that Edward truly and deeply loved his wife, Albus put it down to the eccentricities of age or perhaps just teasing. Sometimes it was hard to tell with his parents.

Over dinner Minerva had the chance to talk to some more of Albus’ family and found herself answering a number of politely asked but still unsettlingly probing questions regarding her relationship to Albus. When the meal ended, Minerva was not surprised to notice that Edward’s sister served hot chocolate instead of tea or coffee and if Victoria’s older brother offered her one sherbet lemon he offered her one-hundred. It all made Minerva want to laugh, she wondered if she had picked up as many quirks from her extended family as Albus had. She quietly watched his parents during the meal and smiled to herself at how sweet they looked together, Minerva could see them holding hands under the table and looking at each other adoringly. She thought it was wonderful that a couple who had been married so long was still so much in love, it also made her a little sad that she hadn’t been open about her feelings for Albus sooner so that they could have had more time together.

[Sensiblyquirky]

Oh exactly what I need! I love it so far, and I know it will only get better. I love his parents...hehe i love the line about is this the miss mcgonagall we have been hearing so much about...snicker

Christy

[ginger newts]

Her eyes must have taken on a faraway look when she was thinking about this because Albus sat down beside her and rested a hand on her shoulder, calling “Minerva?”

When she turned to look at him and refocused her eyes, he continued, “Where were you just now, my dear? You looked a million miles away.”

Minerva smiled, “I was just thinking about your parents. They’re so adorable, Albus, so in love after all these years. It’s sweet and yet it makes me realize how much time we’ve missed together.”

She hadn’t meant to say that last part out loud and she blanched when she realized she had, trying to turn away from Albus. He tightened his grasp on her shoulder and invited her for a walk outside. When they got out onto the grounds, Albus took Minerva’s smaller hand within his own and entwined his long fingers with hers, leading her away from the house. They walked in companionable silence for a while until they came upon a sweetheart swing under an apple tree. Albus sat down and opened his arms to Minerva who gladly snuggled up against him.

He released her hair from the braid she had worn it in and threaded his fingers through it before asking, “Did you mean what you said in there, Minerva?”

Slowly, she raised her head to look him in the eyes, “Yes, I did. Now that I’ve finally found you I can’t help wishing I had made my feelings known sooner. I’m sorry,” she added softly.

Cupping her chin in his other hand, Albus leaned in until their noses were touching and never breaking eye contact, told her gently, “Don’t be sorry, my dear. I agree we have been foolish, but I promise you that we will no longer waist any of the precious time we have together. I love you, Minerva.”

She smiled up at him and said, “I love you too.”

Albus closed the remaining distance between them and kissed her tenderly, deepening the kiss when Minerva sighed against his mouth. They sat together for a time, enjoying the stars and the calming noises of the English countryside before Albus decided it was getting late and they should rejoin the party inside. When they arrived back at the house it was time to leave and they walked home quietly with Edward and Victoria, both of whom noticed a subtle difference between the younger couple as well as the extra twinkle in their son’s eyes.

Albus and Minerva enjoyed their best night of sleep in many years that night, wrapped in each other’s loving embrace. When he awoke the next morning, Albus was disappointed to see that Minerva had already risen for the day. As he walked downstairs, he was greeted with the rare and wonderful sound of his love’s laughter. Stopping in the kitchen door, he smiled when he saw Minerva and his mother making breakfast together, talking and laughing like old friends. It warmed his heart to see them enjoying each other’s company and he liked the happy domestic image they provided.

Edward walked up behind his son and smiled, “They’ve been carrying on like that for almost an hour. I’m not sure what’s so funny myself.” He shrugged, “Shall we join them and see what they’ve come up with for breakfast?”

Albus agreed and the two men entered the kitchen, where they were each greeted with a warm kiss before steaming mugs of coffee were pressed into their hands and they were instructed to sit at the table. Plates heaped with eggs, toast, bacon, and kippers were floated to the table the moment they sat, along with a huge bowl of porridge. Minerva inquired about the anniversary celebration and was told that everyone would be coming over around tea time, but that was all the information Edward and Victoria had been given. Their families had insisted on arranging everything themselves and had simply commanded them to arrive in the orchard at half past three. She asked what to wear and Victoria assured her it was a casual affair.

The four of them passed the time before the party playing chess, Minerva and Victoria teamed up to soundly defeat Albus and Edward in two successive games. They ate a light lunch in between games and when the second ended decided it was time to prepare to meet the rest of the family. It wasn’t until she went up to their room with Albus to change that Minerva realized she hadn’t seen any of his nieces and nephews all day. He explained that they had gotten up early to go help the rest of the family prepare the feast for tonight. Minerva took a set of robes out of the wardrobe and then turned and looked at Albus awkwardly, wondering what they were going to do about needing to change. They had each changed in the bathroom the night before. Albus noticed her hesitation and quickly took his own robes and left her in privacy to change in the bathroom again. When they were ready, Albus and Minerva met his parents in the sitting room so they could all walk out to the orchard together. Everyone was delighted to see that Minerva had let her hair down for the occasion, it softend her looks so much and made her appear younger and if possible even more beautiful.

Edward’s brothers and sisters had been in charge of setting up the orchard for the evening and they had done a beautiful job, they had transformed it into almost a fairy grotto. There were tiny lights twinkling in all of the trees that would be magnificent when the sun went down and flowers had magically appeared under the trees that encircled the open area where the tables were set up. Victoria’s family, along with Aberforth’s children, had done a wonderful job with the food. There was enough to feed everyone in attendance and at least twice as many more. Aberforth himself showed up a little after four, while everyone was settling down to eat, giving the excuse that he had gotten caught up in his research and forgotten the time. Everyone exchanged half-exasperated, half-amused looks at the mention of his research, none of them really knew exactly what it was he did with the goats; he was a lot more secretive ever since the trouble with the Ministry a few years back.

After the meal, complete with many desserts, Victoria and Edward opened their presents. Minerva hadn’t had time to get them anything as Albus had given her less than twelve hours notice, so she was surprised when Victoria looked up from one card and thanked them both. Albus leaned in and whispered that he had added her name to his gift, she smiled warmly and thanked him for thinking of her, she had felt terribly rude not bringing a gift. Just as the sun began to set, one of Albus’ cousins took out a violin and began to play a series of beautiful songs. Slowly, various couples began dancing and Minerva was delighted when Albus stood and offered her his hand. He held her close and they danced a perfect waltz together, drawing the attention of several of his relatives. They danced for a long time until Albus’ family began to cut in, Minerva soon found herself dancing with almost all of his uncles and cousins and even Aberforth who she had known before. He teased her endlessly about dating his brother and Minerva could see Albus watching the two of them carefully, no doubt worried about what stories Aberforth might be telling her. After that Edward came over and claimed her for a dance. Minerva had not yet had much of a chance to interact with Edward one on one and she was a bit nervous, but also very interested in what he might want to talk about.

“So, how did you manage to finally snag that son of mine,” was the first thing he asked.

Minerva laughed and said, “I really couldn’t say. We were friends for so long and then one night he asked me to dinner and the rest just fell into place.”

“You’re good for him,” Edward said. “I’ve never seen him so happy, or so alive.”

Blushing, Minerva thanked him as he gracefully spun her out and then back into him. “You’re a wonderful dancer.”

“Ah, it all depends on having a graceful partner,” he chuckled when she blushed again.

Albus did manage to get Minerva all to himself for the few final dances of the evening and then everyone gathered back around the tables for tea, hot chocolate, sandwiches, and of course more dessert. Victoria squeezed into a seat between Minerva and her niece and leaned over to draw Minerva into a conversation. She repeated Edward’s sentiments about Minerva being good for Albus and how much happier and more alive he looked than they had seen him in recent years.

“He’s talked about you for years, you know,” she said slyly. “We’ve all been wondering when we’d finally get to meet you.”

Minerva didn’t think it was possible to blush so much in one evening, but she felt her cheeks warming yet again. She wasn’t given a chance to say anything in reply though because Victoria whispered that she had a photo album she wanted to show Minerva before they left and then quietly slipped away to give the couple some privacy.

[Zerowolfgirl]

^_^
i love it! And i thought none liked the challange.

[ginger newts]

Okay, I didn't intend to post all of it tonight, but here you go anyway.

The party went on until the early hours of the morning and Albus had to half carry Minerva back to the house she was so tired, she marveled at the energy his entire family possessed as well as their sense of fun. The McGonagalls would never have had a celebration quite like that, she thought. She was asleep before her head even hit the pillow and as Albus drew her tightly into his arms Minerva sighed and shifted so her head was pillowed on his beard. Out of habit, Victoria looked in on all her children and grandchildren before retiring to bed, when she saw Albus and Minerva lying peacefully in each other’s arms with soft smiles on their faces it warmed her heart and she thanked the gods for bringing her son such a wonderful woman.

Minerva packed for both herself and Albus the next morning before going down to breakfast and when she arrived in the kitchen she found out that he had gone to visit his cousins before leaving. Disappointed at first that he hadn’t at least woken her to say goodbye, Minerva ate her breakfast slowly. However, when Victoria pulled out a large photo album and started showing her pictures of Albus as a child Minerva forgot her disappointment and settled in to enjoy the stories about her love as a boy. It was no surprise that Albus had been quite a precocious child and had gotten himself into a lot of trouble. Minerva was laughing over one of his escapades that involved accidental magic and the King’s nephew when Albus returned.

Spying the photo album, he knew he should be embarrassed by whatever the two women were discussing. Clearing his throat to announce his presence, he asked, “Just what is so funny?”

Minerva turned around and grinned at him, “Oh nothing, darling, nothing at all. Your mother was just telling me about your childhood.”

“Well, I’m sure some of that embarrassment can wait until another visit,” he retorted with a pointed look at Victoria.

She smiled innocently at her son and moved to put the album away. “I just thought this darling girl should know what she’s getting herself into,” she said.

“Victoria, if working with your crazy son for the past 25 years hasn’t given me a pretty clear picture of what I’m getting myself into then I’ll never be prepared,” Minerva said dryly.

Albus wrapped his arms around her from behind and said, “I thought you liked my quirks.”

“Ah, yes,” Victoria said, “the Dumbledore men do have a tendency to be rather eccentric, but I suppose we have to love them inspite of it don’t we, Minerva.”

“Or because of it,” Minerva said quickly, before realizing what she had just said.

Victoria smiled and Minerva could tell without looking that there was a huge grin covering Albus’ face as he leaned forward to kiss her cheek. Deciding not to be embarrassed by her feelings for once in her life, Minerva just gave herself over to the situation and leaned back further into Albus’ embrace, smiling herself.

After dinner that night, Albus and Minerva said goodbye to his parents and the rest of the family who had assembled to see them off. Minerva thanked them for their hospitality and received an open invitation to come back anytime, with or without Albus who pretended to look offended by that part of his mother’s invitation. They apparated back to Hogwarts and Albus walked Minerva to her rooms.

“Thank you for coming this weekend,” he said. “I knew my parents would like you and I’m so glad you liked them as well.”

“Albus, they were wonderful,” Minerva reassured him. “You’re whole family was. I had a very lovely time.”

He leaned in to kiss her goodnight and said, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Minerva said with a smile. “Would you...I mean do you want...come in,” she finally stated, opening the door.

Albus recovered quickly from his surprise and gladly followed her into her rooms. They spent the next several hours slowly exploring each other’s bodies and expressing all the love and desire they had kept bottled up for too many years. When the sun rose the next morning, they awoke still very tired but happy, knowing they shared something special and that they had many years together to look forward to.

[Sensiblyquirky]

awwwww I loved it!!! I'm so glad you posted all of it. Made my night...sweetness...what i needed!

Thanks,

Christy

[Zerowolfgirl]

^____^
that made my night also. ^_^

[Jestana]

DAW! Utter cuteness! Wonderful fwuff! Whee!

[Miss Q]

Such a wonderfully sweet story! I needed that before heading of to bed! Thanks for sharing!!!

M

[griseldalafey]

Ow... that was wonderful *sighhhhhh* (that was a very deep one Such a lovely story. His parents are really wonderful. I'm glad you've posted it all at once.

[TabbyForever]

Awww...well i finally finished it!!
After many many diruptions and distractions!!!hehehe

I loved that!!! Great responce!!!

Well done mate!
Jem

[ArabellaFiggs]

Awh, his parents are so friendly.
Lovely and sweet story.

Joop

[SpellboundKate]

AW! Its been said before, but I hsall say it again-how cute! That was wonderful!
KaTe

[grindylow]

Very nice response! I was a little wary at first because I've always assumed Dumbly's parents died a long time ago, but I really like this story! Yay for fluff!

[Jessabelle]

There are always stories about meeting the McGonagalls .. I am glad to finally see one about the Dumbledores! Very good .. I really did enjoy it!

[Mellypoo622]

That was so so so so cute! Great job! I've never really thought about Albus's parents before, it was very creative of you to come up with this idea!

[TheGryffindorSeeker]

awwww....that was so lovely, i really enjoied that fic, great work

[JKMcGonagall]

Such a wonderful, beautiful, sweet, and fluffy story.

I loved every sweet moment of it.

Kay

[Drake]

Awwww.... so sweet.

[sonataeternal]

that is such a sweet story. I love how everyone kept embarrassing minerva

[Kimora]

Aww, that was really sweet!
A very well done!!!

[Alexannah]

A really sweet story, love it, and all the detail. The Dumbledores are certainly an eccentric bunch!

[toridumbledore]

Loved it. I've read it more than twice!!!!!!!!

[mcgonagall4eva]

I think this is the sweetest post I've read, I'm sooooo glad McGongall gets on with Dumbeldore's parents!

[Mandy McGonagall-Dumbledore]

I LOVE IT!!!